Herald Sun
North Melbourne led by 12 points at the first three changes, but the Bulldogs always looked damaging and dangerous, even if the loss of their three running defenders — Bob Murphy, Jason Johannisen and Matt Suckling — hindered their usually clean exits from the back half.
Lachie Hunter had a career-high 44 disposals (including 16 in the second term) and was clearly his team’s best player, even if his disposal rate lacked a little.
He worked desperately in an effort to drag his team back into the contest. Jack Macrae worked hard for his side, Luke Dahlhaus created some opportunities and Matthew Boyd and Koby Stevens gave plenty of yelp.
Glenn McFarlane
The Age
It wasn't so much stage fright as some sort of block. North is the most free-scoring team of the year, but they and the Dogs went quarters at a time advancing only by small change.
The Dogs were the fastest-moving team of the year, but this night found only spokes in their wheels. As the play concertinaed in midfield, some passages of play consisted entirely of turnovers. It was like two people trying to get out of a lift at the same time: you go, no you, no you, ok, sorry.
Not surprisingly, midfielders had the preponderance of the ball, even more than usual. Equally unsurprisingly, the Dogs ruled there, having it 80 more times than North. Lachie Hunter had it 44 times himself.
Greg Baum
AFL Media
Played at a frenetic pace in the opening 10 minutes, both teams looked up for an attacking shootout, but the Bulldogs started to lose their cool with the ball and their scoring quickly dried up.
From the 10-minute mark of the first quarter, the Dogs went more than 36 minutes without a goal before Toby McLean broke the drought with a brilliant goal from the boundary against the flow.
The only thing keeping the Bulldogs in the game was desperate tackling and a contested ball advantage that meant the Kangaroos had to work hard for their 12-point lead at half time.
Midfielder Lachie Hunter racked up a massive 24 possessions in the first half and finished with 44, four clearances and six rebound 50s to be the Bulldogs' best player.
Luke Beveridge's men, who lost no friends with their endeavour, won the contested possessions (166-151), clearances (44-31) and inside 50s (56-46).
Nathan Schmook
